(AMB 4018) Victim Witness Response

Question 1

AMB 4018

What is the definition of a “Victim”?

Answer 1

A person who suffers direct or threatened physical, emotional, or financial harm.

Question 2

AMB 4018

What is the definition of a “Witness”?

Answer 2

A person who has evidence of a crime and is providing such evidence to law enforcement.

Question 3

AMB 4018

What is one major element of an investigation that is often overlooked in criminal investigation?

Answer 3

The emotional impact of the crime on the victim.

Question 4

AMB 4018

Individuals believe that they have a certain degree of control over what happens in their lives.
When a crime happens to an individual, the perpetrator ends up taken away the victim’s imposed control. As a result of this, what does the victim tend to do?

Answer 4

Victims may blame themselves and lose trust in themselves and others.

Question 5

AMB 4018

Name the 6 Impacts of Victimization.

Answer 5

1. ) Physical
2. ) Cognitive
3. ) Emotional/Psychological
4. ) Financial
5. ) Social
6. ) Spiritual

Question 6

AMB 4018

When an officer first arrives on scene, and begins dealing with a victim, it is very important for the officer to realize that the victim may have temporarily changed in what ways?

Answer 6

Has a defense reaction the victim’s body may:
1.) Increase heart rate

2. ) Release fat & glucose for energy
3. ) Gross motor skills increase (due to blood flow to the brain & large muscle groups increasing)
4. ) Immune System shuts down
5. ) Tunnel vision allows focus on the threat

Question 7

AMB 4018

When is a victim most likely to give a more detailed statement about the events of the crime?

Answer 7

A day or two after the crime was committed.

Question 8

AMB 4018

Should children victims be interviewed the same way as adult victims are?

Answer 8

No, they are very different.

Question 9

AMB 4018

What is a good way to apply psychological first aid to a victim?

Answer 9

Use the “You / We / I” approach

Question 10

AMB 4018

What is the “YOU” stage in psychological first aid?

Answer 10

It is used in the introduction.

Ex. Are you ok? -or- You are safe now.

Question 11

AMB 4018

What is the “WE” Stage in psychological first aid?

Answer 11

It is used to build Rapport

Ex. I want you to understand what we are doing.

Question 12

AMB 4018

What is the “I” Stage in psychological first aid?

Answer 12

It is used when questioning the victim

Ex. I need you to talk about what happened

Question 13

AMB 4018

When questioning a victim, be sure to…

Answer 13

1. ) Ask Open-ended questions
2. ) Avoid interruptions
3. ) If you need something repeated make sure the victim does not think you are accusing them of being wrong.

Question 14

AMB 4018

During the close of a victim interview be sure to…

Answer 14

1. ) Confirm victim’s contact info.
2. ) Give them your contact info.
3. ) Give them the victims info guide.
4. ) Do not make any promises you can’t keep.

Question 15

AMB 4018

What did the Victims’ Rights and Restitution Act of 1990 (VRRA) establish?

Answer 15

It mandated services be provided to crime victims once a crime is detected by law enforcement.

(Rights are due as soon as crime is known to LEOs)

Question 16

AMB 4018

What did the Crime Victims’ Rights Act of 2004 (CVRA) establish?

Answer 16

It established court-enforceable victims’ rights that begin when federal criminal proceedings are initiated.

(Rights are due as soon as proceedings begin)

Question 17

AMB 4018

What mandatory services under VRRA are LEOs required to provide to victims?

Answer 17

1. ) Victim Identification
2. ) Informing the victims of their rights
3. ) provide the victim with a referral to a victim service provider
4. ) Reasonable protection from the accused
5. ) General information about the investigative process
6. ) Notice of case events, such as arrest, release, indictment, or declination
7. ) Return of property no longer needed as evidence
8. ) Employer/Debt notification if the victim has absences from work or is unable to pay bills in a timely manner due to participation in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.

Question 18

AMB 4018

Under CVRA what rights are the victims entitled to?

Answer 18

1. ) Reasonable protection from the accused
2. ) Reasonable, accurate and timely notification of public court proceedings or any parole proceeding involving the crime or an release or escape of the accused.
3. ) Not to be excluded from any public proceeding in district court. (Unless the court diems it necessary)
4. ) To be reasonably heard in any public proceeding in the district court involving release, plea, sentencing, or any parole proceeding
5. ) to confer with the prosecutor in the case
6. ) Full and timely restitution as provided in the law
7. ) Proceedings free from unreasonable delay
8. ) To be treated with fairness and respect for their dignity and privacy.

Question 19

AMB 4018

What are the 4 key roles Law Enforcement has in regards to CVRA?

Answer 19

1. ) Identification of victim
2. ) Protection of victim
3. ) Referrals for victim services
4. ) Notice of case status

Question 20

AMB 4018

At any given time, if an officer suspects child abuse, what must the officer do?

Answer 20

Report it to Child Protective Services

Failure to do so is a class B misdemeanor

Question 21

AMB 4018

Define the term “Restitution”.

Answer 21

Is a process at sentencing where the court orders the defendant to pay for the financial losses incurred by the victim as a result of the crime.

Question 22

AMB 4018

Where do “compensation funds” come from.

Answer 22

Dept. of Justice which collects fines paid by federal defendants

Question 23

AMB 4018

As a LEO, referring to your local Victims Assistance Program can provide what benefits?

Answer 23

1. ) Serves as the victim’s primary point of contact, freeing law enforcement’s time to focus on the investigation
2. ) Provides crisis intervention (if needed) to the victim
3. ) Can provide case updates (if directed to by Law Enforcement)
4. ) Provides referral to assit victims
5. ) In working closely with victims, they can usually provide case agents with important information about the victim’s ongoing ability to participate in the case.

Question 24

AMB 4018

In regards to possible suicidal co-workers what is the acronym to help you deal with the situation

Answer 24

A.C.T

A- Ask: are you thinking of killing yourself?

C-Care: Listen with compassion and concern.

T-Take action: Refer to competent, professional resources